help with bali itinerary
Apr 24th, 2019, 12:32 PM
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help with bali itinerary
I am joining my daughter in Bali for 17 days in Julya. We are starting our trip at the Marriott for 2 nights in Nusa
Dua to recoup from jet lag and for my daughter (23 yo) to relax after 2 months of travelling in Southeast Asia. What I thought we could do (help in the order of this) was to go to Nusa Penida for either a day or 2 with a guide and then on to Ubud for 5 days. I would like to end our trip at Gili Meno and am wondering if I have time for Kuta or to spend more time in Ubud and Gili with side trips from Ubud. We enjoy both urban and rural siteseeing. We would like to take a cooking class in ubud and possibly find a yoga or meditation center for an afternoon. All suggestions are welcome. I've travelled extensively but m finding I'm having difficulty narrowing this trip down. Thank you!!!
Dua to recoup from jet lag and for my daughter (23 yo) to relax after 2 months of travelling in Southeast Asia. What I thought we could do (help in the order of this) was to go to Nusa Penida for either a day or 2 with a guide and then on to Ubud for 5 days. I would like to end our trip at Gili Meno and am wondering if I have time for Kuta or to spend more time in Ubud and Gili with side trips from Ubud. We enjoy both urban and rural siteseeing. We would like to take a cooking class in ubud and possibly find a yoga or meditation center for an afternoon. All suggestions are welcome. I've travelled extensively but m finding I'm having difficulty narrowing this trip down. Thank you!!!
Apr 24th, 2019, 03:24 PM
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For me, this would be too much moving around. I hate "wasting" my time moving from place to place. If you have 17 full days on the ground in Bali, I'd choose not more than three locations. You lose much of a day each time you change bases. On the other hand, there are those who want to be on the move much of the time. It depends on what kind of traveler you are.
Bali has so much to offer, understand why you are having trouble narrowing it down. But do pause and think about what are the most important things you want to see/do/experience on this trip. Use that as you guide for your itinerary. Also, if you just want a day or two somewhere, figure out how much time that little side trip actually takes from the rest of your time on Bali, then decide if it is worth it. Transport to and from Nusa Penida takes time. Likewise getting to and from Gili Meno takes time. I'd choose just one of those.
Bali has so much to offer, understand why you are having trouble narrowing it down. But do pause and think about what are the most important things you want to see/do/experience on this trip. Use that as you guide for your itinerary. Also, if you just want a day or two somewhere, figure out how much time that little side trip actually takes from the rest of your time on Bali, then decide if it is worth it. Transport to and from Nusa Penida takes time. Likewise getting to and from Gili Meno takes time. I'd choose just one of those.
Apr 24th, 2019, 03:58 PM
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It does, really, depend on your interests and preferences!
If you haven't already seen it, you might find some useful information in my trip report. The section on Bali starts with post # 128
A Memorable Solo Month in Singapore, Java, and Bali
If you haven't already seen it, you might find some useful information in my trip report. The section on Bali starts with post # 128
A Memorable Solo Month in Singapore, Java, and Bali
Apr 25th, 2019, 03:41 AM
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A few comments:
Nusa Dua has some nice beaches and certainly the hotel grounds and lush and the pools inviting, but it's fairly isolated from the rest of Bali and Balinese culture. Restaurants and shops are all located in hotels, not free standing as they are in other Bali beach locations. If by Marriott, you mean the Marriott Courtyard or Marriott Nusa Dua Gardens, be aware that neither is located on the beach. Their beach club is about a mile away (but they do provide transportation). If you are using Marriot points then you're somewhat limited (though the St. Regis is deluxe and de-lovely) but to me, there are better beach locations in Bali.
Nusa Penida is a short boat trip (about an hour) from the east coast of Bali. Most people visit as part of a package tour with a guide. Although the island is quite scenic, you'll find the popular spots to be highly touristed. Do read about the safety issues involved in swimming in Crystal Bay and Angel's Bilabong. Rogue waves, riptides and downtides are common and several people have drowned there recently (one just last week).
Gili Meno was hard hit by last year's Lombok earthquake. I wouldn't want to discourage you from visiting because the local people could really use the business; however, be sure to do a thorough search on whatever resort you choose to make sure that they're totally rebuilt and not still undergoing reconstruction. If you go, I'd suggest you stay a few days as it takes about half a day to get there from Bali. And to be on the safe side, it's best to spend the night before your flight in Bali as the Gili boats can be delayed.
There are many, many yoga and meditation opportunities in Bali. Near the southern beaches I'd recommend Desi Seni in Brawa (which is also a nice resort) and the Practice in Batu Bolong. The Yoga Barn is very popular in Ubud and has a wide menu of events, but I haven't been there myself. Also lots of cooking classes, especially in Ubud. One that I would recommend is associated with the Alam Sari hotel outside of Ubud. (I'm sure they would make arrangements for you even if you don't stay with them.) It's in a traditional village and the hosts, a Balinese husband and wife, take great care to explain the cultural significance of each ingredient and process. And the food is really good!
I think you could easily fill up a week in the Ubud area. You can either stay in the town itself or in the surrounding countryside. Personally I prefer the latter as the town can get a bit hectic, especially in July/August. There are lots of options for day trips using Ubud as a base. The areas around Sidemen and Munduk are especially scenic.
Some other Bali beach areas to consider would be
=Petitenget (the northern end of Seminyak) for a long wide surfer beach and lots of shops, restaurants and spas
=Canggu (Brawa and Batu Bolong) This is the hippest area of Bali -- your daughter will want to be there. Very laid back, popular with surfers and yogis, with lots of small resorts and shops. The beach is just okay, but it's very lively and attracts a young crowd from all over the world.
=Amed (on the northeast coast) is a quiet, charming village with small resorts built along the headlands.
Avoid Kuta beach! (I'm not too fond of Legian beach either.)
Lastly, major Balinese Hindu holidays of Galungan and Kuningan will take place in Bali from July 24 to August 03. This is a festive time to be in Bali because there will be many processions and temple ceremonies, all over Bali, but especially in Ubud.
Nusa Dua has some nice beaches and certainly the hotel grounds and lush and the pools inviting, but it's fairly isolated from the rest of Bali and Balinese culture. Restaurants and shops are all located in hotels, not free standing as they are in other Bali beach locations. If by Marriott, you mean the Marriott Courtyard or Marriott Nusa Dua Gardens, be aware that neither is located on the beach. Their beach club is about a mile away (but they do provide transportation). If you are using Marriot points then you're somewhat limited (though the St. Regis is deluxe and de-lovely) but to me, there are better beach locations in Bali.
Nusa Penida is a short boat trip (about an hour) from the east coast of Bali. Most people visit as part of a package tour with a guide. Although the island is quite scenic, you'll find the popular spots to be highly touristed. Do read about the safety issues involved in swimming in Crystal Bay and Angel's Bilabong. Rogue waves, riptides and downtides are common and several people have drowned there recently (one just last week).
Gili Meno was hard hit by last year's Lombok earthquake. I wouldn't want to discourage you from visiting because the local people could really use the business; however, be sure to do a thorough search on whatever resort you choose to make sure that they're totally rebuilt and not still undergoing reconstruction. If you go, I'd suggest you stay a few days as it takes about half a day to get there from Bali. And to be on the safe side, it's best to spend the night before your flight in Bali as the Gili boats can be delayed.
There are many, many yoga and meditation opportunities in Bali. Near the southern beaches I'd recommend Desi Seni in Brawa (which is also a nice resort) and the Practice in Batu Bolong. The Yoga Barn is very popular in Ubud and has a wide menu of events, but I haven't been there myself. Also lots of cooking classes, especially in Ubud. One that I would recommend is associated with the Alam Sari hotel outside of Ubud. (I'm sure they would make arrangements for you even if you don't stay with them.) It's in a traditional village and the hosts, a Balinese husband and wife, take great care to explain the cultural significance of each ingredient and process. And the food is really good!
I think you could easily fill up a week in the Ubud area. You can either stay in the town itself or in the surrounding countryside. Personally I prefer the latter as the town can get a bit hectic, especially in July/August. There are lots of options for day trips using Ubud as a base. The areas around Sidemen and Munduk are especially scenic.
Some other Bali beach areas to consider would be
=Petitenget (the northern end of Seminyak) for a long wide surfer beach and lots of shops, restaurants and spas
=Canggu (Brawa and Batu Bolong) This is the hippest area of Bali -- your daughter will want to be there. Very laid back, popular with surfers and yogis, with lots of small resorts and shops. The beach is just okay, but it's very lively and attracts a young crowd from all over the world.
=Amed (on the northeast coast) is a quiet, charming village with small resorts built along the headlands.
Avoid Kuta beach! (I'm not too fond of Legian beach either.)
Lastly, major Balinese Hindu holidays of Galungan and Kuningan will take place in Bali from July 24 to August 03. This is a festive time to be in Bali because there will be many processions and temple ceremonies, all over Bali, but especially in Ubud.
Apr 29th, 2019, 11:00 AM
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finalizing Bali itinerary
Thank you all for your reply’s. I am narrowing things down and have done more research but seems the Gili Islands have nicely recovered and a visit there would work. So I am thinking the following
2-3 nights in Nusa Dua to regroup and chill
1 night in Sanur and catch boat to Nusa island (haven’t de used which part we will stay in)
2 nights in Nusa
5-6 nights in UBud
2 nights in Amed
3 nights in Gili and either travel the day before my 4 pm flight or see if it is possible to take early morning ferry (waiting to hear back. Doesn’t look like there are early ferry rides back to Serengan)
overly ambitious or about right? My only question for myself is if it’s too much beach time although it seems we can rent bikes at some of these places and do a bit of exploring.
Thanks again!!
2-3 nights in Nusa Dua to regroup and chill
1 night in Sanur and catch boat to Nusa island (haven’t de used which part we will stay in)
2 nights in Nusa
5-6 nights in UBud
2 nights in Amed
3 nights in Gili and either travel the day before my 4 pm flight or see if it is possible to take early morning ferry (waiting to hear back. Doesn’t look like there are early ferry rides back to Serengan)
overly ambitious or about right? My only question for myself is if it’s too much beach time although it seems we can rent bikes at some of these places and do a bit of exploring.
Thanks again!!
Apr 29th, 2019, 12:31 PM
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A few thoughts:
Nusa Dua and Sanur aren't that far apart. What time does the boat leave from Sanur? If it isn't very early, I'd not bother to move to Sanur. While I, personally, don't like Nusa Dua (Sterile Tourist compound) I wouldn't add in another change of lodging. I'd opt for the minimum amount of time in Nusa Dua, then move on to Nusa Penida.
Nusa Dua and Sanur aren't that far apart. What time does the boat leave from Sanur? If it isn't very early, I'd not bother to move to Sanur. While I, personally, don't like Nusa Dua (Sterile Tourist compound) I wouldn't add in another change of lodging. I'd opt for the minimum amount of time in Nusa Dua, then move on to Nusa Penida.
Last edited by Kathie; Apr 29th, 2019 at 12:33 PM.
